Liquid dispenser



April 25, 1939. T. J. DYKEMA LIQUID DISPENSER Filed June 4, 195s INVEN-ron QQms ,7. Dykema Patented Apr.. 25, 1939 unirse sTAres resi' orties 8 Claims.

This invention relates to liquid dispensers and more particularly to dispensers of the general character disclosed in my United States Reissue Letters Patent No. 19,520 and which are adapted to be manipulated by squeezing the bulb between the fingers to eject a considerable proportion of the contents of the bulb and also by depressing a portion of the bulb inwardly with one nger l to eject an approximately measured quantity of 10 fluid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb. To this end the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb is preferably so designed that when squeezed transversely between the fingersit will eject a con- 15 siderable proportion of its contents and preferably has at its closed end an integral portion so related to the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb as to be clearly deiined exteriorly of the bulb and being adapted 20 to be depressed by a finger toward the interior of the bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb whereby to eject fromthe bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of iluid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb.

While my invention is applicable to dispensing 30 devices-of various sizes, it is particularly well suited for small size dispensing devices dispensing liquids in amounts of the order of a few drops. squeezing of the bulb transversely between the fingers in the usual way results in the dispensing 3- offrelatlvely large quantities of liquid which in a small capacity outfit may be, for example, from ten to twenty drops or more. Dilliculty is encountered in the dispensing of a single drop and to aid in doing so without dispensing more than the closed end of the bulb an integral portion thereof so related to the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb as to be clearly defined exteriorly of the bulb and being 45 adapted to be depressed by a finger toward the interior of the bulb and in being `so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the remainder of the compres- ;sible squeezing portion of the bulb whereby to 50 eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof anapproximately measured quantity of fluid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb and constituting in general one drop.

55 Such portion of the bulb may be oi' whatever cay one drop at the same time I preferably provide at y pacity may be desired in any particular case, but I ilnd that a capacity of one drop is most useful;

The portion of the bulb above referred to is preferably not substantially greater in area than the area of the tip of a forenger of average size so as to facilitate operation thereof simply by pressing the same with the forenger or some other finger. Such portion is also preferably relatively thin as compared with the material of the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb.

The bulb preferably has an inward recess in its outer surface for receiving the portion of the top of the cap surrounding the hole therein whereby in normal use the cap and bulb remain locked together as a unit, thus counteracting the tendency to push the bulb out of the cap existing when the above mentioned portion of the bulb is depressed by a i'lnger. The bulb is preferably generally cylindrical for the greater part of its extent and its closed end is preferably generally dome shaped. Preferably the inner surface of the compressible squeezing part of ythe bulb is generally cylindrical for the greater part of its extent and is generally dome shaped at 25 the closed end of the bulb, the radius of the dome being of the same order as the radius of the generally cylindrical portion of such inner surface and the dome being substantially smoothly continuous with respect to the cylindrical portion.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the followingdescription ci a present preferred embodiment thereof proceeds.

1n the accompanying drawing I have shown a 35 present preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is a central vertical transverse crosssectional view through a bottle equipped with a combination closure and liquid dispenser;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the dispenser bulb;

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closure Vor cap for the bottle; and` Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the dis- 45 penser of Figure l used for dispensing a single drop of liquid.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a bottle 2, which may, for example, be a medicine prescription bottle of any suitable capacity. The bottle 2 has a neck 3 which adjacent its lip 4 is provided exteriorly with screw threads 5 for the reception of a screw cap 8. The cap 6 has in its top 'l a circular opening 8 through which passes a resilient hollow 55 bulb 9, preferably of rubber. The bulb 9 comprises a squeezing portion I0 of which the upper part II is of dome shape and the lower part I2 is generally cylindrical. The bulb has an opening I3 communicating with its interior Il, the opening being surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip I5 shown as being of generally conical shape adapted when the deviceis applied to the bottle to lie against the bottle lip 4 to seal the vbottle as shown in Figure 1. The bulb has an inward .recess I6 in its outer surface for receiving the portion I1 of the top of the cap surrounding the hole 8 therein. The bulb is in-v serted into the cap and snapped into place with the annular portion I1 of the cap entering the recess I 6 wherebyin effect to lock the bulb and cap together as a unit.

The outside diameter of the lower part I2 of I the bulb is substantially greater than the diameter of' the hole 9 in the cap 6, thus counteracting the tendency to push the bulb out of the cap existing when the closed end of the bulb is depressed by ilnger as will presently be described. z

The opening I9 in the bulb has an enlarged portion I9 receiving a ange I9 formed at the upper extremity of a hollow transparent liquid receptacle shown as being in the form of a glass tube 20. The tube 20 has an opening 2| at itslower end through which to receive and discharge i the liquid contents of the bottle 2;

When the generally cylindrical part I2 of the squeezing portion I0 of the bulb 9 is squeezed between the fingers in a direction transversely of the direction of the length of the dispensing tube 20 it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents, as such squeezing can flatten out the squeezing portion of the bulb rather completely.

The dome-shaped portion II at the closed end of the bulb is an integral portion of the material oi.'

the bulb and is shown as being relatively thin as compared with the material of the generally cylindrical portion of the bulb. 'Ihe dome-shaped portion I I is adapted to be depressed by a. nger toward the interior of the bulb as shown in Figure 4 and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the relatively thick walled portion of the bulb whereby to eject from'the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of fluid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of* the bulb. 'I'his approximately measured quantity may for convenience be one drop or minim. Figure 4 indicates the ejection of one drop or minim of the contents of thedispenser upon complete inward depression of the portion II of the bulb. 'I'he provision of the inward recess I6 in the outer surface of the bulb for receiving the portion I1 of the top of the cap surrounding the hole 8 therein effectively counteracts the tendency to push the bulb out of the cap existing when the portion II of the bulb is depressed by a iinger.

The inner surface 22 of the compressible squeezing part I0 of the bulb is generally cylindrical for the greater part of its extent and is generally dome-shaped at the closed end of the bulb, the radius of the dome being of the same order as the radius of the generally cylindrical portion of such inner surface and the dome being substantially smoothly continuous with respect to the cylindrical portion. `In the form shown in the drawing the radius of the cylindrical portion A considerable proportion of its contents. The portion of the bulb having the relatively thin wall is adapted to be depressed by a nger toward the interior ofthe bulb as abovepointed out and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the relatively thick walled portion of the bulb whereby to eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of u'ld constituting a. comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb as above mentioned.

The portion of the bulb which upon inward depression results in ejection from the bulb of an approximately measured quantity of -uid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb is preferably shaped so as to be clearly defined exteriorly of the bulb so that the point at which to depress the bulb with the linger may readily be ascertained. Such por--V tion is adapted to be depressed by a iinger toward the interior of the bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb. Such portion is preferably not of substantially greater area than the tip of a foreflnger of average size. This facilitates its operation in the manner shown in Figure 4.

In my copending application Serial No. 211,836, filed of even date herewith, there is disclosed a combinationcontainer closure and liquid dispenser comprising va bulb having an inward recess in its outer surface for receiving the portion of the top of the cap surrounding the hole therein,y but there accomplishing an entirely diilerent result. f j

While. I have shown and described a present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the same is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A liquid dispenser comprising a unitary rel silient hollow bulb having an opening therein, a dispensing tube connected with the bulb adjacent said opening, the bulb being generally cylindrical for the greater part of its extent generally in the direction of the length of the dispensing tube and having at least a substantial portion of said 'generally cylindrical part thereof exposed in a direction transversely of the direction of the length of the dispensing tube and sufficiently ilexible that when squeezed between the lingers it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents, the bulb having at its closed end an integral portion of the material thereof which is relatively thin as compared with the material of the generally cylindrical portion of the bulb, said portion of the bulb being adapted to be depressed by a. nger toward the interior-of the bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part 'independently of the relatively thick walled por-v tion of the bulb whereby to eject'from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of fluid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb.

2. A combination container closure and liqui dispenser comprising a cap for a container such as a bottle or the like, the cap having a hole in arcane its top, 'a unitary resilient hollow bulb having an opening therein, a dispensing tube connected with the bulb adjacent said opening, the bulb passing through said hole in the top of the cap and having a compressible squeezing part disposed outwardly of the cap which is generally cylindrical for the greater part of its extent generally in the direction of the length of the dispensing tube and h as at least a substantial portion of said generally cylindrical part thereof exposed in a direction transversely of the direction of the length of the dispensing tube and sufiiciently flexible that when squeezed between the fingers it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents, the bulb hav.

vdrical portion of the bulb, said portion of the bulb being adapted to be depressed by a finger toward the interior of the bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the relatively thick walled portion of the bulb whereby to eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of uid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb, the bulb having an inward recess in its outer surface for receiving the portion of the top of the cap surrounding the hole therein whereby in normal use the cap and bulb remain locked together as a unit, thus counteracting the tendency to push the bulb out of the cap existing when said portion of the bulb is depressed by a nger.

3. A unitary resilient hollow bulb for liquid dispensers, such bulb having an opening therein adaptedfor cooperation with a dispensing tube and having acompressible squeezing part whose inner surface is generally cylindrical for the greater part of its extent and which inner surface is generally dome shaped at the closed end of the bulb, the radius of the dome being of the same order as the radius of the generally cylindrical portion of such inner surface and the dome being substantially smoothly continuous with respect to the cylindrical portion, the wall thickness of the bulb at the cylindrical portion being substantially greater than at at least a portion of the dome,

the cylindrical p'ortion being sufficiently flexible that when squeezed between the fingers in a direction generally transversely of its axis it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents, the portion of the bulb having the relatively thin wall being adapted to be depressed by a finger toward the interior ofthe bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb `for the most part independently of the relatively thick walled portion of the bulb whereby to eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of fluid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents ofthe bulb.

4. In combination, a container such as a bottle or the like having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip, a cap fitting over said lip and having a hole in its top, means for fastening the cap to the container, and a dispensing de vice comprising a hollow bulb having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to lie against the lip of the container and liquid receiving means connected with the bulb communicating with the interior of the bulb through said opening therein and adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to enter the container through said opening in the container and the liquid receiving means having an opening adiacent its end opposite the bulb communicating with its interior,`the bulb passing through said hole in the top of the cap and having a compressible squeezing portion disposed outwardly of the cap to enable drawing of liquid into the liquid receiving means and expelling the same therefrom, said compressible squeezing portion of the bulb being generally cylindrical for the greater part of its extent generally in the direction of its axis and having at least a. substantial portion of said generally cylindrical part thereof exposed in a direction transverselyv of its axis and suiiiciently nexible that when squeezed between the iingers'it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents and having at its closed end `an integral portion of the material thereof which is relatively thin as compared with the material of the generally cylindrical portion of the bulb, said relatively thin portion of the bulb being adapted to be depressed by a -flnger toward .the interior of the bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the relatively thick walled portion of the bulb whereby to eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of fluid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb.

5. In combination, a container such as a bottle or the like having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip, a cap fitting over said lip and having a hole in its top, means for fastening the cap to the container, and a dispensing device comprising a hollow bulb having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to lie against the lip of the container and liquid receiving means connected with the bulb communicating with the interior of the bulb through said opening therethrough and adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to enter the container through said opening in the container and the liquid receiving means having an opening adjacent its end opposite the bulb communicating with its interior, the bulb passing through said hole in the top of the cap and having a compressible squeezing portion disposed outwardly of the cap to enable drawing of liquid into the liquid receiving means and expelling the samel therefrom, said compressible squeezing portion of the bulb being at least in substantial part exposed to transverse squeezing between the finger and being so designed that when squeezed transversely between the fingers it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents and having at its closed end an integral portion of the material thereof which is relatively thin as comparedwith the material of the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb, said relatively thin portion of the bulb being adapted to be depressed by a finger toward the interior of the bulb and inbeing so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the relatively thick walled portion of the bulb whereby to eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of iiuid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the bulb. l

6. lIn combination,a container such as a bottle or the like having an opening communicating' with its interior and surrounded at its outer ex.- tremity by 'an annular lip, a cap fitting over said lip and having a hole in .its top, means for fastening the cap to the container, and a dispensing device comprising a hollow bulb having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to lie against the lip of the container and liquid receiving means connected with the bulb communicating with the interior of the bulb through said opening there-r through and adapted whenthe dispensing device is applied to the container to enter the container through said opening in the container and the liquid receiving means having an opening rad- `jacent its end opposite the bulb communicating with its interior, the bulb passing throu'gh said hole in the top of the cap and having a compressible squeezing portion disposed outwardly of the cap to enable drawing of liquid into the liquid receiving means and expelling the same therefrom, said compressible squeezing portion of the bulb being so designed that when squeezed transversely between the iingers it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents and hav# ing at its closed end an integral portion of the material thereof which is relatively thin as compared with the material of the remainder of the `compressible squeezing portion of the bulb, said relatively thin portion of the bulb being shaped so as to be clearly dened exteriorly of the bulb and being adapted to be depressed by a finger toward the interior of the bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the relatively thick walled portion of the bulb whereby to eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of iiuid constituting a comparabulb.

7. In combination, a container such as a bottle or the like having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip, a cap iitting over said lip and having a hole in its top, means for fastening the cap to the container, and a dispensing'device comprising a hollow bulb having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the 'container to lie against the lip of the container and liquid receiving means connected with the bulb communicating with the interior of the bulb through said opening therethrough and adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to enter the container through said opening in the container and the liquid receiving means having an opening adjacent its end opposite the bulb communicating with its interior, the bulb passing through said hole in the top of the cap and having a compressible squeezing portion disposed outwardly of the cap to enable drawing of liquid into the liquid receiving means and expelling the same therefrom, said .com-pressible squeezing portion of the bulb being so designed that when squeezed transversely between the fingers it will eject a considerable proportion of its contents and having at its closed end an integral portion so related to the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb as to be clearly dened exteriorly of the bulb and being adapted to be depressed by a finger toward the interior of the bulb and in being so depressed to move inwardly of the bulb for the most part independently of the remainder of the compressible squeezing portion of the bulb whereby to eject from the bulb upon substantially complete depression of said portion thereof an approximately measured quantity of iiuid constituting a comparatively small proportion of the contents of the'bulb.

8. In combination, a container such as a bottle or the like having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip, a cap tting over said lip andhaving a hole in its top, means for fastening the cap to the container, and a dispensing device comprising a hollow bulb having an opening communicating with its interior and surrounded at its outer extremity by an annular lip adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to lie against the lip of the container and liquid receiving means connected with the bulb communicating with the interior of the bulb through said opening therethrough and adapted when the dispensing device is applied to the container to enter the container through said opening in the container and the liquid receiving means having an opening adjacent its end opposite the bulb communicating with its interior, the bulb passing through said hole in the top of the cap and having a compressible squeezing portion disposed outwardly of the cap 'to enable drawing of liquid into the liquid receiving means and expelling the same therefrom, said compressible squeezing portion of the bulb being so designed that when squeezed transversely between the flngers it will eject a considerable proportion-of its contentsand having at its closed end an integral portion Whose area is not substantially greater than that of the tip of a forenger of average size so related to the. remainder 

